Well, the time has come. The first batch of exclusive Call of Duty Black Ops maps is here for Xbox Live, and exclusive for the next couple of months. So, if you have a copy of the game lying around, you might want to check these out, because they’re a lot of fun. Let’s start with the best map of the bunch – the new zombie stage Ascension. Here, you’re fighting through a Soviet facility, gaining access to a number of high-tech weapons as the undead busts in from all sides. Whether you’re going at it alone or with fellow zombie killers in tow, you definitely won’t want to miss this. The other competitive multiplayer maps are awesome, too. The best of the four clearly has to be Kowloon, taking place in a Chinese city in the midst of a dark, stormy night. All sorts of trouble is afoot on this map, particularly if you leave yourself open while riding ziplines. (You can’t shoot while riding one.)
The detail in this map is simply outstanding, as you might have seen from the single player version of this stage. As for the other areas, they’re great as well. Stadium has you battling it out around the stadium of the New York Atomics, though you can’t go onto the ice or in the seats for some reason. Still, it’s fun rooting through a gift shop with non-stop gunfire. Discovery takes place on an Antarctic research base, with caves and buildings to run through as you hunt your prey. Finally, the Berlin Wall has all sorts of hiding places, perfect for snipers or those who like to sneak up on opponents with a quick knifing. The map pack goes for 1200 Microsoft points ($15), the same controversial price that the Modern Warfare 2 map pack went for last year. It’s a bit steep, but if you’re a fan of competitive multiplayer and can’t get enough Black Ops, it’s highly recommended. With Call of Duty: Black Ops – First Strike you’ll get your bang for your buck – literally.
Final Recommendation: Buy it.
